State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen has stated that privatising the Dutch Lottery is impossible. The planned reforms in the gambling policy would make this plan unfeasible. The government should not sell the Dutch Lottery and then adjust the legislation in a way that undermines the value of the company.
Commission debate on state participations
Last Thursday morning, the committee debate on state participations was scheduled for the standing committee of finance. Six committee members were each given four minutes to ask questions to Minister of Finance Eelco Heinen and State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen.
Opinions are divided
Several members of parliament also spoke out about the role of the government as a gambling provider, with regard to Holland Casino and the Dutch Lottery. There are opinions that state that the government should withdraw from this market. Opinions also differed about privatising the lottery.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen emphasized that he is responsible for the shareholding, not for the gambling policy. Yet he was repeatedly asked the same question: why was privatisation of the lottery not considered?
It was VVD member Aukje De Vries who in turn pointed to studies that privatisation is possible, provided that one continues to take into account the optimal protection of consumers through legislation. The State Secretary states that he follows the advice from the new gambling policy of Teun Struycken.
Struycken’s policy indicated that it is better to leave the market as it is. By maintaining the current market structure and focusing on better regulation of the online gambling market, priorities can be set. Amendments to the law to enable the sale of the Dutch Lottery would undermine that priority.
Change in gambling policy important factor
Opinions remain divided on the subject of privatisation, but there is still an important point of attention to be taken into account according to the State Secretary. Namely, the change in the gambling policy.
Subsequently amending the legislation after the sale of the state shareholding could affect the valuation of the company, something that is unacceptable under the law and also unheard of in the business world.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen:
“(…) So now selling the Dutch Lottery and then tinkering with the revenue model while you already know that you are going to do that. With all due respect, in business this is simply not acceptable. If you know of effects on a company that are very negative and can affect the price of the company, then you should be transparent about that. That also does not benefit the sales value.”
Criticism by De Vries due to gambling advertising
Member of parliament Aukje De Vries criticized by pointing to previous debates in which Holland Casino and especially TOTO were discussed a lot, because of their gambling advertisements. According to her, this does not fit the image of the Dutch Lottery as she puts it: the best kid in class.
The State Secretary responded that this reputation is still possible, even if mistakes have been made within the organisation.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen:
“Even if you’re the best kid in class, it doesn’t mean you always get a 10.”
According to the State Secretary, government participation in a gambling company helps to better monitor compliance with the rules. However, Henk de Vree (PVV) responded to this statement with sarcasm. He wondered whether the ministry should also establish a weed plantation in order to better monitor drug addicts.
Ban on untargeted advertising at online casinos
The State Secretary informed the members of parliament that action will be taken from July 1st with a ban on non-targeted advertising for online casinos.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen:
“With regard to that advertising, we recently agree that there will be a ban on untargeted advertising for online gambling providers as of July 1, 2025. No more in the newspaper, not on TV, not on sports and events. Well, that leads to something and we will monitor those effects.”
Henk de Vree wondered if the “Ster Commercials” will also disappear? He was referring to commercials for land-based providers and lotteries. But commercials for online gambling on television have already been banned since July 1, 2023.
Non-privatisation decision not final
During the committee debate on State Participation, the State Secretary stated that the decision not to privatise the Dutch Lottery is not final.
At the moment, the choice has been made to definitely not consider this. However, since state participations are subject to periodic evaluations, this could change in the future.
The State Secretary says he has confidence in the functioning of the Dutch Lottery, also with the higher gambling tax. The consequences of this must be closely monitored. But the first task is to adjust the gambling policy and see what effect this has.
State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen:
“I say very deliberately: do not privatise now. (…) At the moment we are simply in an environment where especially in the online area, there are simply a lot of problems. I think that we now first have to ensure that we solve those problems before we take a step to put a state participation that functions well into private hands.”